1) How do I find something to bid on and then make a bid?

You can search for auctions using the search box at the top of every page. You can browse for auctions using the categories listed below the search box on every page.
Some tips for searching auctions are :

PS3 Ratchet
This is the default method. It will search for auctions with both "PS3" AND "Ratchet" in their title, also their plurals.

"New York"
This will search for titles with "New York" in them in this order only. No plurals are searched for.

(Nintendo,Wii)
This will search for auctions with "Nintendo" OR "Wii" in their title. Plurals are not searched in this case.

Nintendo Wii -Game
This will search for auctions with "Nintendo" AND "Wii" but WITHOUT "Game" in their title . Plurals are searched in this case.

u:username
Adding u: before a seller's username in the search box will enable you to view their current listings and give links to their All About Me page, eBid Stores and Feedback pages.

s:storetitle
Adding s: before a search will search for eBid Store with this text in their store title. eg. s:books will search for all eBid Stores with "books" in their title. This is the same search as can be found on the "Stores" link at the top of every page.

Visit this page to browse or search our auctions.
Once you have found something you would like to place a bid on, you will see a page with all the listing details on, like price, number of bids, closing time etc. At the top of each individual listing page you will see "Place Bid" or "Buy Now" buttons with an option to add the price for auction style listings. If you click on these buttons a pop up box appears asking you to confirm or cancel the transaction. If you proceed with the purchase you will then be taken to a page confirming the results of your bid.

2) How can I refine my search?

Once you have added a search string and see the list of search results you will be given the option to refine the results. Above and to the right of the result listings you will see the "More Search Options" link. This allows you to filter your results by Price, Feedback of the Seller and Closed Auctions amongst other options.

3) How can I save my favourite Sellers, Stores, Listings and Searches?

My Favourite Sellers
You can save a Seller to your saved lists by clicking on the seller username and selecting "Add them to Favourite Sellers" from the seller page option menu. Your favourite sellers will appear on the My Favourite Sellers section at "My eBid > My Favourites & Lists". You can also edit and delete your Favourite Sellers here. The edit option allows you to amend the listing email alert and listing type options.

My Favourite eBid Stores
You can save a Sellers Store to your saved list by clicking on the Storename link to open the customer Store page and selecting the "Add to My Favourite Stores" link. You will have the option to remove saved Stores by going to "My eBid > My Favourites & Lists".

My Favourite Listings
You can add individual listings to your Favourite Lists by selecting the "Add to List" button on the listing page. The button can be found just under the photo at the top left hand side of the page. You can add multiple lists which can be viewed and removed from the "My eBid > My Favourites & Lists" section.

My Favourite Searches
Once you have made a search and can see the resulting listings you will see the link "Add to My Favourite Searches" above the listings. This will take you to the Favourite Searches page where you can add additional criteria to your search string. To view your favourite searches please go to "My eBid > My Favourites & Lists".

4) Can I receive an email alert when something I want to buy is put up for sale on eBid?

Once you have made a search and can see the resulting listings you will see the table "Refine your Search" to the right of the listings. Under this table please select the "Buyer tip. Get emailed daily with stuff being sold to do with *searchname*" link. This will take you to the Favourites Searches page where you can add additional criteria to your search string, including receiving emails on the search for a set period of time or daily.

5) How can I edit my Favourite searches?

If you wish to amend your favourite searches, go to "My eBid - My Favourites" and use the edit link to make changes to your search criteria. If you wish to delete the search option, highlight the delete box and click on the "Delete from My Favourites" button at the bottom of the page.

6) What if the seller doesn't want to sell anymore?

Although this does not happen that frequently, since normally sellers are eager to sell their merchandise, it can be disappointing when it happens. We cannot "force" a seller to honour the final auction results. One remedy is to cast a negative comment about the seller by clicking on their rating (the number following the seller"s username on the auction page).

7) How does eBid automatically bid on my behalf?

If you cannot attend the auction and still want to place a bid, eBid can bid for you.
If it is above the "lowest possible bid" amount, your maximum bid will be kept secret. If another member places a bid higher than your visible bid eBid will bid on your behalf by increasing your bid by the current bid increment up to your maximum. (proxy bidding).

8) I get outbid every time I place a bid.

Actually, there is nothing wrong. Being immediately outbid means that an earlier bidder specified a maximum bid higher than the maximum you just specified. When you confirmed your bid, the other bidder"'s "proxy" immediately placed a bid on his behalf, just enough to outbid your maximum, to ensure his position as high bidder. When you place a bid with a maximum high enough to outbid all other bidders, your proxy will protect your position in the same way.
If you place a bid that matches a previously placed Proxy bid, you may see the same price appear on the auction bid history for both bidders. In this instance the earliest placed bid takes precedence.

9) Can I reduce or retract my bid once it has been placed?

eBid works on a basis of trust between members. If you place a bid, there is no mechanical way to retract your bid. If you finish as the highest bidder and do not wish to continue with the transaction, please notify the seller straight away so that they can in turn contact any underbidders who may still be interested in the purchase of the item.

10) What happens if the reserve price is not met?

If an auction ends and the reserve price has not been met, both the seller and the high bidder are released from any further obligation to complete the transaction. The buyer must know that if they did not meet the reserve price, then as stated, the seller will not be willing to sell the item.

11) What is a feedback score?

Every eBid member has a feedback score. Users gain or lose feedback when the other party in the transaction (buying and selling process) rates you after the transaction has been completed. A feedback score has nothing to do with a users account access level (BUYER, SELLER, SELLER+)
If you wish to start a listing , you must become a SELLER or SELLER+ eBidder. You can automatically become a SELLER member by adding your card details now. Click Here to add your debit/credit card details

12) Can I ask the seller a question?

If you go to the page where the item is listed and click on the "ask seller a question" button there you will be able to ask the seller a question via email. An email will be sent to the seller automatically with your question and inviting the seller to post an answer. As soon as they have posted a reply, you will receive an email with this information.

Please note that all questions and replies on the Q and A section of the auction page can be viewed publicly. Please do not pass any email address or contact details via this section. Contact details should only be passed on a successful auction, after the auction has closed via the After Sale Log.

13) What is the BuyNow facility?

BuyNow allows you to pay a premium to Guarantee a purchase and will cancel the item listing from entering into an auction type bidding war. "BuyNow" will only be available during the opening period before any bidding activity has started.

14) What is a Multi-item listing?

A Multi-item listing is an auction in which the seller has multiple identical items to sell. When starting a Multi-item listing the seller must enter the quantity, starting bid (reserve price is not used) and bid increments. All winning bidders pay the same price, which is the lowest successful bid.
Bidders must specify both a bid price and the quantity they want to buy. Proxy bidding is not used in Mlti-item auctions. Again, all winning bidders pay the same price, which is equal to the amount bid for the last item of the collection.
Example:
Say there is a Multi-item auction for ten identical items..
Lets say at the end of the auction there have been four bidders..

the first bidder bid £3
the second bidder bid £4
the third bidder bid £5
the fourth bidder bid £6

At the end of the auction the four winning bidders each pay £3
(this is the lowest amount, in this case £3)

Now let's say (using the same scenario) the Multi-item auction
was only for three identical items.

only the second, third and fourth bidders would be winning bidders
and they would all pay £4

the first bidder would have had to bid a higher amount before the auction ended to stay in the running (because there were 4 bidders and only 3 items).

Remember, all successful bidders will pay the same price, which is the lowest successful bid.

Finally, remember demand must exceed supply for the starting bid to go up and even then most users win the items they bid on at the minimum asking price but the only way to be assured of being a winner is to make sure you are not the lowest bidder.

15) How do I find out how my auction ended?

You will be emailed within 15 minutes of the auction closing time. Auction results are also available in the My eBid Auction Control Centre. Login by clicking the My eBid link at the top of each page.

16) What do all the icons mean?

No Reserve Auction OR Reserve Price Met

BuyNow option available

A proxy (auto) bid made by eBid

Bid that met the reserve price

17) Consumer Rights and Business Seller Responsibilities

You generally have more legal rights if you buy from a business than from a consumer seller. These rights include terms that goods are of satisfactory quality and fit for purpose.

You may have the right to cancel an order within seven working days following delivery if you buy items in fixed price sales (although certain products are exempt from this - see below).

You may not have the right to cancel and return goods if you buy at auction unless the seller has indicated that he is agreeable to this in his listing details or in the sale contract.

You will always have the right to reject faulty, damaged and mislead described goods, such as counterfeit goods, which are sold in the course of a business.

If you wish to cancel an order, you must take reasonable care of any goods while in your possession, otherwise you may be liable for any damage to them.

If in doubt, check your rights before bidding or buying.

Details

If you buy a product from a UK business seller, you have the same rights as when buying in a normal shop according to the Sale of Goods Act. The products must be described accurately and must be fit for purpose.

If you receive products which are clearly not as described, you have the absolute right to reject them for a full refund, including carriage costs. You should also report the seller to the auction site and their account may be suspended pending an investigation.

If you buy in a fixed price sale from a regular business seller you should be able to see the terms and conditions relating to refunds and returns before you decide whether to buy the item. If you don't see this information, you should email the seller to ask for it.

In general, if you buy fixed price items from a UK or European business which sells regularly on the internet, there is a cooling off period of at least seven working days from the day after delivery in which you can decide whether or not to keep them. If you decide to cancel the order - which you can do by email - you must take reasonable care of the items while in your possession. The seller may require you under the terms of the contract to return the item (rather than simply to allow the seller to collect them) You may have to pay the cost of return postage, if this was specified in the contract but you should not be charged a restocking or other administration fee. The cost of outward delivery must also be refunded.

There are certain products which do not have cancellation rights. These include:

items which are customised to your requirements (e.g. made to measure curtains).

Perishable items (e.g. fresh food).

Software and DVDs when the security seal has been broken.

If in doubt, please check the cancellation rights before deciding whether to buy.

It is presently unclear whether the law requires a business to give the same cancellation rights where the price is established by competitive bidding, rather than being fixed. Many businesses voluntarily offer some rights because they are confident about their products and want you to buy them, but you should not assume they will do so. If in doubt, ask in advance.

If you have a problem, you should try to resolve the matter by emailing or writing to the seller, keeping a copy for future reference.

Business guide to internet selling in the UK

If you sell goods or services to consumers at a fixed price through online auction sites then the Distance Selling Regulations will apply to the sale (unless an exception applies) and you will need to provide cancellation rights and other information. See text x below for key information you should provide.

If you sell at auction involving competitive bidding, it is presently unclear whether the distance selling laws also apply to such sales. You may therefore not need to provide cancellation rights (doing so, however, may give buyers more confidence in your business). You still need to provide certain information.

The Consumer Protection (Distance Selling) Regulations 2000 can be seen on the Office of Public Sector Information website.
You may also find it useful to refer to the Financial Services (Distance Marketing) Regulations (SI 2095/2004) and the Consumer Protection (Distance Selling) Amendment Regulations (SI 689/2005), which can also be found on the OPSI site.

Fixed Price Sales

If you are a business which regularly sells fixed price items on online auction sites, you may be required to provide certain information and to provide cancellation rights. The list below identifies key obligations. It is not a complete list of legal requirements. Businesses should undertake their own assessment to ensure that they are complying with all relevant law.
At a minimum, you should clearly provide:

Your name and address (not a PO box).

Your email address (not simply a web form).

Your VAT number (if applicable).

If you are a company, the place of registration, registered office address and registration number.

Membership details, including the registration number, of any trade or professional association you belong to.

Auction sales involving competitive bidding

If you are a business which regularly sells on online auction sites using competitive bidding, you are required to provide certain information. The list below identifies key obligations. It is not a complete list of legal requirements. Businesses should undertake their own assessment to ensure that they are complying with all relevant law.
At a minimum, you should clearly provide:

Your name and address (not a PO box).

Your email address (not simply a web form).

Your VAT number (if applicable).

If you are a company, the place of registration, registered office address and registration number.

Membership details, including the registration number, of any trade or professional association you belong to.

1. Clarity of pricing information and other charges

Prices should be presented clearly and unambiguously. You should make clear the full price consumers will have to pay for the product, including tax, delivery and other charges.
Where you cannot specify the final price in advance (for example because of variable delivery costs), you should indicate clearly that additional charges may apply and how they will be calculated.
You should provide clear information on payment options, together with details of any relevant surcharges (e.g. credit card surcharges).

2. Delivery

You may generally not include standard terms requiring your customers to bear the cost of insurance pending delivery. The goods should be delivered within 30 days unless you have agreed a different period with your customer.

3. Cancellation rights and returns

Unless cancellation rights under the Distance Selling Regulations ("DSRs") do not apply, you must provide clear information on cancellation rights and how customers can cancel an order. Generally consumers have a minimum of seven working days commencing the day following delivery to exercise cancellation rights.
If your customer wishes to cancel the order, they must take reasonable care of the product while in their possession.
You may set out what you consider to be reasonable care but you may not impose conditions which prevent your customers from exercising their right reasonably to examine the goods. Typical conditions which may breach consumers" rights include requirements that goods are returned unopened (except in the case of sealed software or audio/video recordings), "as new" or "in their original packaging".
If the customer cancels an order under the DSRs, You may not deduct from the refund the costs of outward delivery nor other fees, such as an administration or restocking fee. The refund should be made as quickly as possible and within a maximum of 30 days.
If you wish to require your customer to return the goods in the event of cancellation and to pay for the cost of doing so , you must make this clear in your terms and conditions and confirm it in writing or another durable medium.

18) Can I make an offer to buy something from a seller?

Yes you can. As long as the seller turned on our "Make an Offer" system when they started the listing.

A button "Make an Offer" will appear on the listing just under the BuyNow button. When you click this you can enter your offer amount, must be below the BuyNow price. The seller will be emailed with the details and will have 48hrs to either

Accept Offer

Decline Offer

Make a Counter-offer

.

You will be emailed with their decision. If they accept, then the normal after sale system will kick in. If they make a counter-offer (will be above your original offer and below the BuyNow price), you will then have 48hrs to accept or decline their counter-offer.

All the offers you make can be seen in "My eBid Dashboard > Offers I Made"

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Buying and Selling Online Since 1999

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Comments from eBidders

Great first 6 months of the year, over 1,000 items sold and nearly every single record I had previously achieved has been well and truly obliterated. Holiday notice was on for a month as well so I am way ahead of where I thought I would be. The only target I missed was listing numbers.... due to sales, so I can live with that.